FRIENDLY INSECTS,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 203, 21 May 1908, Page 3

FRIENDLY INSECTS,

. .WEST AUSTRALIA'S WORK. / We clip, the following from-the April issue. .01 the "Journal of Agriculture" (\Vest Australia) : — • - ..v..'. ".Several species of fruit-fly parasites were introduced;from India on December 7, 1907, and since'-that date. 122 colonies have been distributed,-' ' totalling 120,UW),' . ab0ut...20,000 'to 1 ; South ' -Africa.' Those ,'iiavo been - placed/in..' theworst infected' districts, and include ;four distinct', species. ; r . "We. have: received pupae -from'-' several of the . orchards,'-'and 'found in every instance a peroenta'ge parasitised, thus showing .-that the parasites are - establishing themselves.; " THe . greatest, difficulty.- is found in getting the orchardists to; take the matter up thoroughly, and have several breeding cases made, so that cacli ::ian may breed his own . parasites. ] The\ methods. of reproduction may be seen" and '-explains! by/a.visit to tho Entomological Department.-' ■ . v " During - the''same period the ■ following colonies of parasites have been distributed:— " Brown Scalo',.'|o colonies... . " Cabbage Aphis, 45 colonies. ; "Cabbage Moth, 4 colonies. " Black Scale', 30 colonies. ' "Red Scale,' 12. colonies. " Ladybirds, . 4 colonies.' | "Total'number of colonies liberated, 135.. "If some orchardists have hot yet been lpplied with the parasites applied for, it is '. ecause all. applications' are dealt with in wder of priority."; ~